The Louisiana labor market is bucking national trends, with both initial and continued unemployment claims falling. Initial unemployment insurance claims in Louisiana dropped 15% last week from the previous week, to 1,592. Claims were also nearly 10% lower than the same period last year. The four-week moving average of initial claims, which smooths out short-term fluctuations and highlights longer-term trends, decreased 7% to 1,742. While continued claims grew nationwide, continued claims dropped in Louisiana some 12% last week from the previous week, to 10,792. Claims were also 18% lower than they were for the same period last year.